John Quincy Adams celebrated on his 247th birthday

QUINCY – A small crowd that included a descendant of President John Quincy Adams gathered at the Church of the Presidents Friday ror the annual wreath-laying at the sixth president’s crypt.

Members of the Navy operational support center in Quincy led by Lt. Cmdr. David Stock, who represented President Barack Obama, placed the wreath in the church’s crypt.

Gary Haynes, who directs historical tours in Quincy, explained the tradition as he stood at pew 54 in the church, where John Quincy Adams used to pray.

He said that today’s leaders, including President Barack Obama, could learn from John Quincy’s Adams patience, endurance and the way he observed the chaos in Russia.

Peter Boylston Adams, a direct descendent of John Quincy Adams spoke about contemporary questions of conscience and his personal experiences during the Vietnam War.

Jim Cooke, an actor and writer who has been working as a John Quincy Adams impersonator and gives tours of the Adams’ tomb said Adams’ life is a tremendous example of what one can do at the end of a career. He described Adams as a powerful anti-slavery advocate.

As for the average person’s understanding of John Quincy Adams’ contributions to American society, Cooke said he had little hope.

“We are so ignorant of all our history. People know nothing about John Quincy Adams,” he said.

The ceremony for second president John Adams will take place on October 30.

Braintree, the birthplace of John Quincy Adams and his father John Adams – marked the ay with a brief ceremony at the time capsule in front of Town Hall.

Quincy was still a precinct of Braintree when John Quincy Adams was born in 1767. Quincy became a separate town in 1792.

Patriot Ledger reporter Lane Lambert contributed to this story. Natalie Ornell may be reached at nornell@ledger.com.